The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1887-02-18
LIFE ON A .LIGHTSHIP.
A DRAG WITH NAU1 U1HT SAVE DANGER
TO RELIEVE THE MoNoToNY.

Aboard the Scotland, Near tho Jersey
Work-The Stamp of Strength-.Equip-
ment-The Crew.
To give an account of the daily routine
work on one of the ships will tell the story Of
both, and, in fact, all those along the sea-
board 1t is one continual drag with naught
save danger to relieve the monetony. The
hardships and perils which the crew hayc to
undergo during the winter months are only
equaled by those of the life savers along the
coast. They do not fear the heaviest of gales
if the anchor does not hitch or the cables
snap. But If the latter happened in a strong
northeasterly storm there would be cause for
alarm Tho white quicksands of Jersey
would then become a lee shore and the ves-
sells might be driven to pieces ON the beach
before tho extra anchor could be dropped or
the emergency canvas hoisted. AT all times
during the day and night there is great
strain on the cables. In winter the tension is
increased 100 per cent, and, as necessity,
the chains are exceptionally strong, being
capable of wishstanding the most exciting
pitch of the craft as it is cast about by the
angry elements. The tackle which keeps it
in position consists Of cable thirty fathoms
in length. One end of this is coiled about the
barrel of the great windlass and lies aft. The
other deScends through the hawsepipe and
into the sea to be fastened to monster mush-
room anchor which rests serenely on the bot
TOM This long reach of chain is in itself Of
sufficient weight to mako the lightship main-
tain fairly steady frame. .,.
ON BOARD THE SHIP.
Upon stepping on board the ship the
strangers eye is struck by the remarkable
cIcamess of the deck paint and the bright
ness of the brass work. Ii he be any sort of
an amateur sailor he will instantly perceive
there is an absence of the running and stand
ing rigging, which adds SO much to the grace
and beauty of the ordinary merchant marine
and that there is q popularity about the roll
and plunge of the craft. It is an unnatural
roll when that of the skimming sailing ship
or fast steamer is recalled. There is q
decided languidness about it that is simply
sickening. There seems to be no ambition in
the movement, and every time the vessel
fails from the crest Of the sea the visitors
heart tries to come out of his mouth. This is
not caused by fright, but is the sole outcome
OF the strange hcaving of the ship. The next
thing to attract the attention of the stranger
Is the soldity OF everything about the deck.
Nothing lacks the stamp of strength The
cabin, which is the sole property of the cap
tain and mate is situated away aft, like that
on vessel Of tho merchant marine It's q
small apartment and is given ventilationand
light by q skylight amidships and several
headlights in the sides. Directly under the
skylight the dining table is in position, and
this, with the few chairs, is as bright as a
new coin. The library and magazine well
for powder and rockets are near by Just
forward of the cabin and opening into it by
means of q little door is the oil room There
are number of tanks in this compartment
and these are filed with hundreds Of gallons
of oil Hard by are dozen or more extra
lamps with reiectors, chimneys and great
punches of wicks. The brass work on the
former is finely polished and bright as nickel.
The forecastle is situated in the eyes of the
craft, or as near as the great chain cable will
permit 1t resembles that of square rugged
vessel, only it is below decks and everything
is in good order. There are several hunks in
the apartment, but the men for the most part
prefer the luxury of hammock
EQUIPMENT OF THE VESSEL
The lamps which are used are fixed within
a band and are hoisted aloft by hand winches
to which the lantern halliards are secured
They have circular wicks, are within para
bolic refiectors, and arc hung on gimbals, so
that whether the ship rolls stern or gunwales
under, they always maintain vertical posi-
ton. In winter they are lighted at o'clock
p. m. and extinguished at a. m Insummer
they burn from p. m. to 4 a. m. The bril-
liancy OF these lamps are not apparent from
the deck. The hull of the ship is alike for
ward and aft, the stern being as sharp as the
stem. 1t is as strong as an ironclad. To give
it additional strength and staunchness in
good blow and heavy sea there are false keels
on each side Of the bilge. These have several
times saved the craft from serious disaster.
The ship is supplied with rudder, but it is
fastened SO that it can move neither way
unless the checks are withdrawn. Canvas to
tho extent Of trysail can be used, and only
that in the event Of the cable parting Tho
vessel is also provided with whale or yawl
boat, in which the captain and few of the
crew in summer make irregular excursions.
The crews mail, to great extent, is thrown
On board by passing pilot boats, which bring
It down from this city. In bad weather
weeks clapse sometimes before those on
,he pilot boats get a chance to put the letters
md papers OH board The duties of the crew
ire oncrous. Two are ON watch at all hours
they look out for crafts which approach in
90 close proximity. discharging rockets and
guns to warn or signal them, and in foggy
Feather toll the bell for a like purpose. The
men are not obliged to render assistance to
yessels Or seamen in distress, but invariably
hey do so.-New York Mail and Express